Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in California

Senior Clinical Research Scientist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors that anchor the state's life sciences economy at every level from associate scientist through principal investigator. The largest hiring hubs are San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles, where companies like Genentech, AbbVie, and Amgen maintain significant California operations. Oncology, immunology, and rare disease trials are the most in-demand specializations across these markets. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles72+
Top employerAltos Labs
Top citySouth San Francisco, CA
Cities hiring19
Work type93% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 72+ Senior Clinical Research Scientist jobs

Iovance Biotherapeutics
Senior Clinical Scientist
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Iovance Biotherapeutics
Added 3w ago
Senior Clinical Scientist
Iovance Biotherapeutics
San Carlos, California
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Medical Specialists
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
$77 - $90/hr
Hybrid
Doctorate

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Google
Senior Research Scientist
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Google
Added 3w ago
Senior Research Scientist
Google
Mountain View, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
$174k - $252k/yr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Sapient Bioanalytics
Research Scientist III / Senior Research Scientist
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Sapient Bioanalytics
Added 3mo ago
Research Scientist III / Senior Research Scientist
Sapient Bioanalytics
San Diego, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
$85k - $115k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Altos Labs
Senior Research Associate/ Scientist
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Altos Labs
Added 2w ago
Senior Research Associate/ Scientist
Altos Labs
San Francisco, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
$109k - $145k
On-Site
Master's

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ZymoChem
Sr Research Associate/ Scientist, Enzyme Development
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ZymoChem
Added 1mo ago
Sr Research Associate/ Scientist, Enzyme Development
ZymoChem
San Leandro, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Clinical Trials
Environmental Science
$140k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 72 Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in California

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Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

South San Francisco
19 jobs
San Diego
14 jobs
San Francisco
11 jobs
Redwood City
7 jobs
San Carlos
3 jobs
Aliso Viejo
2 jobs
Carlsbad
2 jobs
Sacramento
2 jobs
San Jose
2 jobs

Senior Clinical Research Scientist Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Altos Labs
    Altos Labs7
  • Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
    Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals4
  • Calico Life Sciences
    Calico Life Sciences4
  • Genentech
    Genentech4
  • Revolution Medicines
    Revolution Medicines4

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals47
  • Science & Research14
  • Healthcare & Medical Services5
  • Medical Devices4
  • Construction & Real Estate1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in senior clinical research scientist jobs across California.

  • Advanced degree (PhD or MS) in a life science field required or strongly preferred
  • Minimum five years of clinical trial management or pharmaceutical research experience
  • Hands-on knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines and FDA regulatory requirements
  • Experience writing or reviewing clinical study protocols, reports, and regulatory submissions
  • Proficiency with clinical data management systems and electronic data capture platforms
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills working with biostatistics, medical affairs, and regulatory teams

Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a senior clinical research scientist in California?

A master's degree or doctorate in a life science discipline is the standard foundation, with most California employers expecting several years of direct clinical trial or drug development experience before considering candidates for a senior designation. California does not issue a state license specific to clinical research scientists, but many hiring managers value the Certified Clinical Research Professional credential from the Society of Clinical Research Associates as a recognized marker of competence. Large Bay Area and San Diego biotech employers typically promote from within or recruit scientists with a demonstrated record in protocol development and regulatory submission work.

Which companies hire senior clinical research scientists in California?

Employers hiring senior clinical research scientists in California right now include Altos Labs, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, and Calico Life Sciences, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense concentration of biotechnology headquarters and pharmaceutical regional offices means openings arise consistently across both large multinationals and well-funded clinical-stage companies headquartered in San Diego and South San Francisco.

Which California cities have the most senior clinical research scientist jobs?

South San Francisco, San Diego, and San Francisco are the California cities with the most senior clinical research scientist openings. San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area drive the bulk of demand because they host the country's two largest biotech and pharmaceutical clusters, while Los Angeles generates openings through academic medical centers, contract research organizations, and a growing number of oncology-focused companies expanding their clinical operations in the region.

Are there remote senior clinical research scientist jobs in California?

Yes, and more than many lab-based science roles, because a meaningful share of senior clinical research scientist work involves protocol writing, data review, regulatory correspondence, and cross-functional coordination that can be done off-site. About 7% of senior clinical research scientist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. The functions most commonly offered remotely are clinical operations oversight, medical writing, and vendor management, while roles requiring hands-on site monitoring or laboratory involvement remain predominantly on-site.

How can I get hired as a senior clinical research scientist in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a clinical research coordinator or research associate role at a California academic medical center or contract research organization, which provides hands-on trial exposure without requiring prior industry experience. University of California health system sites and Children's Hospital Los Angeles run structured clinical research training programs and hire coordinators who then advance internally. Building familiarity with FDA-regulated trial processes, completing a Good Clinical Practice certification, and targeting associate scientist postings at San Diego or Bay Area biotechs with active Phase II and III pipelines are the steps that most consistently open the door to a senior role.

Where can I find and apply to senior clinical research scientist jobs in California?

You can find and apply to senior clinical research scientist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listings on this page.

See All 72 Senior Clinical Research Scientist Jobs in California

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